Ridge Lines: 'It must have been the chili'

By TOM ORRRidge Lines

Published: Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 1:40 p.m.

James Mills Edney (Jimmy) smiled as he recalled the years 1946-1973 and the Hot Spot as he remembers it — “You could get two eggs, grits, toast, bacon and coffee for 36 cents. We caught h--- when the price went to 40 cents.”

The Hot Spot once operated at 337 Main St. The street sign read “The Hot Spot: Sandwiches, Ice Cream.”

Today, their son, Jimmy, operates the Land of the Sky Realty (Four Seasons). Their grandson, Michael, is a Henderson County commissioner.

I visited with Jimmy a few days after he celebrated his 83rd birthday. He was, I thought, the first baby born in Henderson County in 1931. My parents always said so.

Jimmy corrected me, informing me that he was the second baby born that year. Bill Edmundson was the first. Both babies’ parents shared gifts — a supply of milk and coal. This was during the Depression.

I asked Jimmy what was special about The Hot Spot, aside from being a significant meeting place for local residents. “The hot dogs were the best. It must have been the chili — it was special. Everybody enjoyed the hot dogs.”

Who were some of the cooks? “Dave Langley, Ed White, ‘Red’ Lemmons. Preston Drake worked the night shift. We were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Beer and wine were not regulated by law before 1955.

Many of the locals, before they went off to their jobs across the county, would meet during the early morning hours for breakfast. It was an opportunity to get the early news, “chew the fat” and have a good laugh. Kermit Edney (WHKP) and the Breakfast Club started their days at The Hot Spot.

A gentleman by the name of John Loy first opened The Hot Spot. Loy was a colorful character. He operated a bus service during the war years and later fulfilled a childhood dream of owning his own circus. Loy sold The Hot Spot to Lawrence Blair, who would later be associated with the Studebaker dealership in town. Frank Edney purchased The Hot Spot from Blair.

John Loy was very interested in pugilistic sport — boxing. He managed several local fighters who distinguished themselves in the ring. The boxers included Norment Quarles, Frank Todd (former mayor) and Bill Keeling, who would serve the town of Hendersonville as captain of the police force.

Emily Keeling, Bill’s wife, was for many years a librarian for the Henderson County Public Library. According to Charlene K. McGrath (daughter), Bill Keeling posted an outstanding record as a boxer. He fought for five years, a total of 42 fights — with a record of 20 knockouts and/or TKO; 10 by decision and two draws.

During the land boom of the 1920s, the W.A. Smith family brought the great Jack Dempsey to Hendersonville to help promote the Laurel Park area. Keeling sparred with Dempsey during this time.

Capt. Keeling later served as juvenile officer, overseeing the safety patrol program. Selected school students, wearing a special strap and badge, were trained to assist officers at school crossings and promote safe conduct.

In the rear of The Hot Spot was a pool hall where “sharks” fought to rule the tables. One of the legendary pool players was banker Harry Williams. Williams was recognized as one of the best.

Principal Henry Davis of Hendersonville High School earned the nickname ”Spot.” He often would arrive unannounced at the back door to the pool hall to search out an errant student who might be testing his skill as a pool player.

When the Edneys took over The Hot Spot, there were two businesses — the Hot Spot and the Blue Bird Café. They were not connected. It was later that a wall-opening was made so that those on the Blue Bird side, which specialized in ice cream, could order hot dogs and short-order meals. Eventually, a connecting passageway allowed the two to function more efficiently. The Hot Spot still remained a man’s domain, and the Blue Bird was for the ladies and children.

The Crab Creek Baptist Church cemetery stands on a hill above where Crab Creek Road and Jeter Mountain Road meet. There, I found the gravesites of Frank and Alice Edney — “married on February 23, 1930.”

Next to his grandparents is the grave of Capt. James Mills Edney Jr. (April 18, 1959 — January 5, 2009), who died of leukemia. Jimmy Jr. was a seventh generation native and a direct descendent of William Mills.

“Growing up, he learned the value of hard work by spending a lot of time in his grandparents’ business, The Hot Spot and Blue Bird on Main Street.”

The C. Edwards Group Inc., the operating company of seven McDonald’s restaurants in WNC, now occupies the space where The Hot Spot once dominated downtown Hendersonville.

Mention the name Edney, and those of us who grew up in Henderson County immediately think of the county’s early history.

<p>James Mills Edney (Jimmy) smiled as he recalled the years 1946-1973 and the Hot Spot as he remembers it — “You could get two eggs, grits, toast, bacon and coffee for 36 cents. We caught h--- when the price went to 40 cents.”</p><p>The Hot Spot once operated at 337 Main St. The street sign read “The Hot Spot: Sandwiches, Ice Cream.”</p><p>Overseeing this successful enterprise was Frank Edney. His wife, Alice, kept the cash register.</p><p>Today, their son, Jimmy, operates the Land of the Sky Realty (Four Seasons). Their grandson, Michael, is a Henderson County commissioner.</p><p>I visited with Jimmy a few days after he celebrated his 83rd birthday. He was, I thought, the first baby born in Henderson County in 1931. My parents always said so.</p><p>Jimmy corrected me, informing me that he was the second baby born that year. Bill Edmundson was the first. Both babies' parents shared gifts — a supply of milk and coal. This was during the Depression.</p><p>I asked Jimmy what was special about The Hot Spot, aside from being a significant meeting place for local residents. “The hot dogs were the best. It must have been the chili — it was special. Everybody enjoyed the hot dogs.”</p><p>Who were some of the cooks? “Dave Langley, Ed White, 'Red' Lemmons. Preston Drake worked the night shift. We were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Beer and wine were not regulated by law before 1955.</p><p>Many of the locals, before they went off to their jobs across the county, would meet during the early morning hours for breakfast. It was an opportunity to get the early news, “chew the fat” and have a good laugh. Kermit Edney (WHKP) and the Breakfast Club started their days at The Hot Spot.</p><p>A gentleman by the name of John Loy first opened The Hot Spot. Loy was a colorful character. He operated a bus service during the war years and later fulfilled a childhood dream of owning his own circus. Loy sold The Hot Spot to Lawrence Blair, who would later be associated with the Studebaker dealership in town. Frank Edney purchased The Hot Spot from Blair.</p><p>John Loy was very interested in pugilistic sport — boxing. He managed several local fighters who distinguished themselves in the ring. The boxers included Norment Quarles, Frank Todd (former mayor) and Bill Keeling, who would serve the town of Hendersonville as captain of the police force.</p><p>Emily Keeling, Bill's wife, was for many years a librarian for the Henderson County Public Library. According to Charlene K. McGrath (daughter), Bill Keeling posted an outstanding record as a boxer. He fought for five years, a total of 42 fights — with a record of 20 knockouts and/or TKO; 10 by decision and two draws.</p><p>During the land boom of the 1920s, the W.A. Smith family brought the great Jack Dempsey to Hendersonville to help promote the Laurel Park area. Keeling sparred with Dempsey during this time.</p><p>Capt. Keeling later served as juvenile officer, overseeing the safety patrol program. Selected school students, wearing a special strap and badge, were trained to assist officers at school crossings and promote safe conduct.</p><p>In the rear of The Hot Spot was a pool hall where “sharks” fought to rule the tables. One of the legendary pool players was banker Harry Williams. Williams was recognized as one of the best.</p><p>Principal Henry Davis of Hendersonville High School earned the nickname ”Spot.” He often would arrive unannounced at the back door to the pool hall to search out an errant student who might be testing his skill as a pool player.</p><p>When the Edneys took over The Hot Spot, there were two businesses — the Hot Spot and the Blue Bird Café. They were not connected. It was later that a wall-opening was made so that those on the Blue Bird side, which specialized in ice cream, could order hot dogs and short-order meals. Eventually, a connecting passageway allowed the two to function more efficiently. The Hot Spot still remained a man's domain, and the Blue Bird was for the ladies and children.</p><p>The Crab Creek Baptist Church cemetery stands on a hill above where Crab Creek Road and Jeter Mountain Road meet. There, I found the gravesites of Frank and Alice Edney — “married on February 23, 1930.”</p><p>Next to his grandparents is the grave of Capt. James Mills Edney Jr. (April 18, 1959 — January 5, 2009), who died of leukemia. Jimmy Jr. was a seventh generation native and a direct descendent of William Mills.</p><p>“Growing up, he learned the value of hard work by spending a lot of time in his grandparents' business, The Hot Spot and Blue Bird on Main Street.”</p><p>The C. Edwards Group Inc., the operating company of seven McDonald's restaurants in WNC, now occupies the space where The Hot Spot once dominated downtown Hendersonville.</p><p>Mention the name Edney, and those of us who grew up in Henderson County immediately think of the county's early history.</p>